Coffee in Edinburgh

Our trip to Edinburgh was a whirlwind of comedy, walking, emotions, coffee, lunches, sleep and cake. It was the coffee and cake that helped sustain us through the jam-packed long weekend. In fact the competition between comedy, coffee and cake at times became quite tough, the three c's battling it out between them.

By no means was the entire Edinburgh coffee scene explored over four days. But we were wowed by what we saw, so here are a selection of our favourites:

Brew Lab

Stripped-back and bare to the extreme. But with the most beautiful selection of rather decadent cakes, and a huge coffee set-up. Friendly staff put up with my all our questions and requests, and, even in festival time, there was enough space to sit down and revive ourselves for a half hour with a piece of beetroot cake and a long black.

6-8 South College Street, Edinburgh, EH8 9AA 

Fortitude

It's worth getting over the silly superhero-esque name of this coffee shop. Sleek, clean design with sharp corners, straight lines, symmetry and squares, a small table of sweet treats, and a tiny space for creating the magical coffee and an enormous glass window. All the coffee sold comes from small-batch, UK roasters (with a focus on filter that seems to pervade throughout Edinburgh), and you can buy all the gear to make it at home too.

3C York Place, Edinburgh, EH1 3EB

Artisan Roast

Artisan was the closest coffee shop to our little apartment, and so papa's favourite first thing in the morning. Maman however was less keen. The place apparently reminds her of 80's university rooms. Drapes on the ceiling, splintering wooden tables, dark lighting, random posters and low seating. Whether you take it as an 80's studen bedsit or a cosy retreat from the rain and cold, this place serves fantastic coffee and pastries (favoured by me and B for the use of chocolate rather than raisins in the pain au raisin. Yum).

57 Broughton Street, Edinburgh, EH1 3RJ

Dovecot Café

The perfect space for lunch or coffee or tea, or all three. We went for all three. Scrumptious sandwiches, soups and salads, pots of fresh tea, wonderfully made coffee and fantastic cakes. Super busy and buzzing, and the studios are worth a peak after too. Then you can go back for more cake before leaving.

10 Infirmary Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1LT